Former Leeds United star and current Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has said he is expecting a close clash when Aston Villa travel to Brentford on boxing day.

Steve Bruce’s men come into the clash off the back of a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday, with the Villans letting their early 2-0 lead slip to a Clayton Donaldson first half double at Villa Park.

Meanwhile their opposition on Tuesday were able to snatch a 2-1 win away to Norwich City on Friday night, Lasse Vibe netting a double in the opening 45 minutes to ensure that Nelson Oliveira’s injury time goal was merely a consolation for the Canaries.

With Villa on the very cusp of the play off spots, sitting in sixth thanks to their superior goal difference to Sheffield United, and Brentford seven points back in 12th, Prutton has said that he is expecting this clash to be a tight contest, which would be in stark contrast to the reverse fixture this season.

Predicting a 1-1 draw between the two clubs, who wrote on Sky Sports’ website: “Aston Villa went to Griffin Park earlier this year and got absolutely turned over by Brentford, who put in a brilliant performance to win 3-0.

“There have been plenty of changes at both clubs since, however, and you’d expect this to be a very different game.

“The Bees got a great win at Norwich on Friday night and have had nearly 24 extra hours to prepare for this one, but Villa are a tougher nut to crack now so I’ll back a draw here.”

Defeat for the Villans could see them tumble out of the play off spots and down the Championship table, while three points at home would give them the chance to extend their lead over the chasing back and possibly leapfrog Leeds into fifth.